"One of the volcanoes on the Hawaiian islands just erupted and sent all kinds of rock and ash into the air! I just saw it on the news!", Fred spouted, running into the room. Everyone paid close attention to the television set as they changed it to the news channel. Liz, knowing that isn't true said, "Hawaii? I think not". How did Liz know the eruption never happened?

Hint

Hawaii has eruptions every day. The way Fred explained it is what is wrong.Hide

Answer

The type of volcano on Hawaii is a "Shield" volcano, and the volcano Fred explained is a "Composite" volcano.

A shield volcano has slowly flowing lava with no ash spouting out. Every volcano on Hawaii is this way. On the other hand a composite volcano shoots out rock and ash, with a small amount of lava. A good example would be Mt. St. Helen's. If a composite volcano were to erupt it would not be on Hawaii.Hide

I disagree with the teaser. A normal eruption in Hawaii probably wouldn't make the news, but a composite would. Mt. St. Helens is flowing lava right now, why can't a volcano in Hawaii go composite on us!

My uncle's a park service ranger and lives in Hawaii, and he's always telling us stories about how he manages to nearly die, going way past the "safety" lines, etc. He's an awesome story teller! Thanks for the teaser, it was fun to remember some of his stories along with it. **nostalgia**

I was in Hawaii when the volcano on the big island erupted. It spewed lava 1500 to 1600 feet into the air along with rock and debris, but really no ash.
The lava still flows, most of it through lava tubes (top crusted over) to the ocean creating acres of new land each year.

And we are supposed to know this why?
To me it was not a teaser, but an informative piece of information. more fitting for a science quiz. Sorry! For all those who say they learned something today, now what are you going to do with this info? Just my opinion to which I am entitled.